Courtesy of Hennepin Arts
Soon, Minnesota middle and high school students will have even more opportunities to go behind the scenes of—and see themselves represented in—careers in the arts. This week, Hennepin Arts announced that it is adding InspireMSP, a workforce development program, as a strategic investment in its educational programming.
InspireMSP is a nationally recognized organization that has worked with thousands of students in the Twin Cities and in greater Minnesota, offering school-based and theater-based workshops, activities, and more to get kids interested in the arts.
The new partnership will expand the reach of InspireMSP and leverage Hennepin Arts’ current relationships and programming. “InspireMSP represents the kind of forward-thinking investment our industry needs,” said Todd Duesing, Hennepin Arts president and CEO, in a press release. “The creative economy extends far beyond the stage, and if we want it to thrive long-term, we have to start earlier, reach broader, and invest deeper.” Hennepin Arts hopes to introduce more young teens to careers in design, music, theater, architecture, fashion, advertising, dance, and more creative fields, with the hope that the state’s “creative workforce” will become even more inclusive and representative, targeting kids in groups that have historically been underrepresented in the arts.
In particular, InspireMSP focuses on engaging young teens before they reach the latter years of high school, while their career pathways are open and they’re still building their curiosity and confidence. With Hennepin Arts, InspireMSP will offer site visits, career exploration days, and direct mentorship and discussions with working professionals to give students a peek at what an arts career can hold. “When students step into creative spaces, meet professionals, and see how creative work actually happens, it fundamentally changes what they believe is possible for themselves,” said Dan Ryan, InspireMSP’s founder and director.
Courtesy of Hennepin Arts
